Cruz shaken up by thought of falling fan

By Chris Cox / MLB.com

ARLINGTON -- Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz had trouble shaking the image of the fan that fell from the upper deck during Tuesday night's game against the Indians.

Cruz was at the plate when his foul ball landed in section 235 of the mezzanine level at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. That's when Tyler Morris, a Rangers fan from Crawford, Texas, lost his balance before falling 30 feet into the lower bowl.

"Even if it wasn't my fault, I hoped nothing bad had happened, because I'm the one who hit the foul ball," Cruz said. "It was in the back of my mind. I just thank God everything is good."

Morris was in "good spirits" when Rangers president Nolan Ryan visited him in the hospital on Tuesday, despite suffering a fractured skull and ankle.

"They told me this morning he was alright," Cruz said. "Thank God it was nothing worse. Hopefully he'll get to feeling better."

Cruz goes through similar situations in every at-bat much like all players. When foul balls are hit hard into the crowd, he said it's difficult to watch. But Tuesday's incident was one he couldn't look away from.

"Sometimes we look. If it's hard, you don't like to look and just find out what happened," Cruz said. "In that situation, he fell, so you've got to look. I saw him going down. It was one of those moments where you can't do anything. You put your head down and hope everything is alright."

Cruz said he put his head down, but still looked up in time to see the fall. It's an image he says he can't shake.

"It's been in my mind," Cruz said. "When I think about it, I see him fall down. I thought it was going to be worse."

Thankfully for Morris, the incident wasn't any worse than it was, and that has helped ease Cruz's mind. He said it was difficult to play Tuesday until he received word that Morris was moving.

"After I found out he was moving every part of his body and was talking, it was kind of more relaxing for me," Cruz said.

All-Stars Vlad, Kinsler rest vs. Indians

ARLINGTON -- A day after resting two of his All-Stars, Rangers manager Ron Washington did the same again Wednesday night against the Indians.

On Tuesday, Washington elected to rest All-Star shortstop Elvis Andrus and third baseman Michael Young, a Final Vote candidate. He did it again on Wednesday when he chose to give designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero and second baseman Ian Kinsler a day off.

"I talked to Vlad about this on Monday, so it was planned," Washington said. "I talked with [Kinsler] Tuesday."

Josh Hamilton took Guerrero's place at designated hitter while Andres Blanco, batting eighth, took over at second base. Taking Hamilton's place in left field was David Murphy.

Blanco and Joaquin Arias -- who took the place of Young and Andrus, respectively -- came up huge for Washington and the Rangers on Tuesday. The reserves combined for five hits with six RBIs in the Rangers' 12-1 win over the Indians.

"Yeah, they did a good job," Washington said. "They worked their butt off. They rewarded us yesterday."

Washington said it was only a matter of giving each member of his lineup a day of rest, but expected to have his full lineup, complete with five All-Stars, ready for the opening game against the Orioles on Thursday night.

"The grind that we've been through most of the past month has a lot to do with it," Washington said. "We're coming down to the end of the first half. These guys, they need a chance to catch their breath. Tomorrow, we'll have our full lineup back in there and there won't be any questions about people being off."

Harrison likely to get nod as No. 5 starter

ARLINGTON -- Rangers manager Ron Washington says he still hasn't decided who will be his fifth starting pitcher, but said it will "probably" be Matt Harrison.

"Of course he's in the mix," Washington said. "It probably may be Matt. We haven't made the decision final yet."

Washington said he expected to reach a decision either late Wednesday afternoon, or on Thursday.

Harrison, who was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on June 30, would serve as the Rangers' fifth starter until Rich Harden or Derek Holland can return from the disabled list. The Rangers started Dustin Nippert and Omar Beltre in the spot without positive results.

Harden continues to rehab well and could make a rehab assignment during the All-Star break.

"[There is a] chance. I think a lot of that depends on how things go with the bullpen and how [pitching coach] Mike [Maddux] and [bullpen coach Andy Hawkins] think the progression is," Washington said.

Holland's recovery has been slower, but Washington is pleased with the path he's on.

"He threw a half-mound bullpen [Wednesday] and [Thursday] he'll throw a whole mound bullpen," Washington said. "We'll go from there. His arm strength was good, he's felt better and he's thrown all his pitches. We'll see how it goes. Fingers are crossed that there are no more setbacks."

The left-handed Harrison began the season in the Rangers' rotation, before going on the disabled list May 7 with left biceps tendinitis. In the six starts he made, Harrison posted a 1-1 record with a 5.29 ERA.

He returned to the Rangers on May 26, but in a reliever capacity. He didn't earn any decisions, but did make seven relief appearances and lowered his season ERA to 4.17.

Worth noting

The Rangers' 11-run margin of victory on Tuesday night against the Indians was the largest this season for the club. ... Vladimir Guerrero and Josh Hamilton lead the Major Leagues in RBIs at home with 41 and 38, respectively. ... The four RBIs by reserve infielder Joaquin Arias on Tuesday night was the most by a Rangers shortstop since Michael Young did it on Sept. 24, 2007 against the Angels. ... Reliever Frank Francisco's scoreless eighth inning on Tuesday marked his eighth straight scoreless appearance, helping lower his season ERA from 4.80 to 3.79. ... Darren O'Day has pitched a shutout inning in each of his last 13 frames, the second-longest streak in the Major Leagues behind J.J. Putz of the White Sox (21 innings).

Chris Cox is an associate reporter for MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.